US lawmakers to visit Denmark as Trump continues to threaten Greenland
[January 13, 2026]
By SEUNG MIN KIM
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation is headed
to Copenhagen later this week in an attempt to show unity between the
United States and Denmark as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to
threaten to seize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of the NATO
ally.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., is leading the trip of at least nine members
of Congress, including Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
The group will be in Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday and will meet
with high-level Danish and Greenlandic government officials and business
leaders.
In an interview with the Associated Press on Monday, Coons said the
delegation wants to send a message that “we understand the value of the
partnership we have long had with them, and in no way seek to interfere
in their internal discussions about the status of Greenland.”
Coons stressed that the United States and Denmark have long been allies,
noting that the northern European nation came to the U.S.'s defense in
the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and have for years
worked in tandem on other priorities.
“As long as we have been constructive and respectful allies, the Danes
have been open arms with us on security and investment and the region,”
Coons said, adding: “I think the only thing that has changed is the
recent statements by the president and the extent to which it seems to
have gone from casual to serious, and I just think it’s important for us
to be heard as strongly supporting NATO and our alliance.”
The delegation considered traveling to Greenland on the trip, but
ultimately could not due to logistical issues, according to a person
familiar with the trip planning who was granted anonymity to discuss
earlier private discussions.
Tensions have grown between Washington, Denmark and Greenland this month
as Trump and his administration push the issue and the White House
considers a range of options, including military force, to acquire the
vast Arctic island. Trump reiterated his argument that the U.S. needs to
“take Greenland,” otherwise Russia or China would, in comments aboard
Air Force One on Sunday.
He said he’d rather “make a deal” for the territory, “but one way or the
other, we’re going to have Greenland.” Danish and Greenlandic envoys are
expected in Washington this week for talks with Secretary of State Marco
Rubio.
China responded in kind on Monday, saying the United States should not
use other countries as a “pretext” to pursue its interests in Greenland
and said that China’s activities in the Arctic comply with international
law.
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Houses covered by snow are seen on the coast of a sea inlet of Nuuk,
Greenland, on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Asked in Beijing about U.S. statements that it is necessary for
Washington to take over Greenland to prevent China and Russia from
taking control, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning
replied that “China’s activities in the Arctic are aimed at
promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the
region and are in accordance with international law.” She didn’t
elaborate on those activities.
“The rights and freedoms of all countries to conduct activities in
the Arctic in accordance with the law should be fully respected,”
Mao said, without mentioning Greenland directly. “The U.S. should
not pursue its own interests by using other countries as a pretext.”
She said that “the Arctic concerns the overall interests of the
international community.”
Coons said in addition to reinforcing the U.S.’s relationship with
Denmark, he wants the trip to emphasize that “there is no imminent
threat to Greenland from the Chinese and the Russians.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American
takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO. On Friday,
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the leaders of
the four other parties in the territory's parliament issued a joint
statement reiterating that Greenland's future must be decided by its
people and emphasizing their “wish that the United States’ contempt
for our country ends.”
Greenland’s leader also issued another statement on Monday, saying
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and part of NATO through
the Realm.
“This means that our security and defense belong within NATO. This
is a fundamental and firm line,” he said.
“We are a democratic society that makes our own decisions. And our
actions are based on international law and the rule of law.”
China in 2018 declared itself a “near-Arctic state” in an effort to
gain more influence in the region. Beijing has also announced plans
to build a “Polar Silk Road” as part of its global Belt and Road
Initiative, which has created economic links with countries around
the world.
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